Considering its considerable size, it boasted a quite majestic presence. Truly reliable. I certainly hoped it would prove useful.
The next day, Sherry called me over to show me something. I saw marks where it looked like something had been gnawing on the bait. It seemed it was indeed doing its job.
The wisdom of mankind had triumphed. We couldn't afford to hand over control of the surface just yet; humanity had to live on this land.
Later, Roxanne reported that the suspicious moving shadows had vanished from the kitchen in the middle of the night. I hadn't confirmed it myself, though. Ever since the incident, I had been cutting back on fluids at night, just like a kindergartner afraid of wetting the bed. Hey, call it a healthy lifestyle.
Of course, before sleep, I also engaged in adult activities that no kindergartner would ever dream of. The bedroom remained my domain.
Every morning, I continued my routine of delivering one mirror a day to Bode Castle. It had become part of my daily schedule—my morning ritual, you could say. I hadn't made breakfast at all lately. I felt bad for Roxanne and Sherry, but I couldn't risk letting them meet those handsome elves. If the three of us went together, we could deliver three mirrors at once, but one was plenty for now.
I was guided to the Duke's office, where I placed the mirror and received a single gold coin from Goslar. It was the usual procedure.
"From now on, do not bother with a guide. Come directly to my chamber. You have surely memorized its location by now, Michio-dono," the Duke said, making a rather sudden demand from his seat.
"Well, I suppose I have."
"I shall inform the Knight Order of the arrangement," Goslar added in agreement.
It meant an outsider would be wandering freely through the castle. Was that really wise?
"Are you sure about that?" I asked.
"I do not mind. Besides, we have our own reasons," the Duke replied.
"The Knight Order is going to be busy from here on out," Goslar took over the explanation. "A third Labyrinth has appeared within the territory. The second one was only discovered the other day, so we must proceed with exploration immediately."
So, another Labyrinth had appeared. Subduing Labyrinths was the responsibility of the local Lord. It sounded like a massive undertaking. From the perspective of the Knight Order, eliminating the need to guide me would certainly reduce their burden—even if the security implications were a different story.
"I see."
"The number of knights stationed within the castle will inevitably decrease. We do not wish to add unnecessary duties to their plate."
Even though their numbers were thinning, they were letting a strange pseudo-adventurer like me roam around. Well, if they said it was fine, I wasn't going to complain.
"That is the situation," the Duke said.
"Understood."
"Furthermore, Michio-dono, I have a request. It would be a great help if you assisted with the exploration of these Labyrinths."
The Duke was making an official request. I wondered what exactly he meant by "assisting." I'd be in trouble if it was something too bizarre, like being forced to fight on the front lines with them.
"Ah... if it's just a matter of entering the Labyrinths within the territory..."
"Will you accept?"
"As long as you enter the Labyrinth with your party, Michio-dono, that will suffice," Goslar clarified.
Just entering was enough? Come to think of it, Goslar had seen Roxanne and Sherry at the Merchant Guild. I'd be worried if the task was too troublesome, but simply entering a Labyrinth wasn't a problem.
"Is it possible you already have a contract with the Knight Order of your birthplace or elsewhere?" the Duke probed.
I see. Even as an adventurer, one wasn't completely free. Many were bound by ties of geography or blood. Perhaps that was why their previous attempt to recruit me into the Knight Order had been so half-hearted.
"Well, there shouldn't be any problem with me entering the Labyrinths here for the time being."
I decided not to deny my connection to my "hometown." If they realized I was completely unattached, they might try to recruit me more aggressively.
"It is heartening to have a talented adventurer enter the Labyrinths."
"I can only handle the lower floors for now, so I don't think I'll be of much help with the actual exploration," I felt the need to point out.
"It does not matter. Surely you are aware, Michio-dono, that even the act of entering has an effect?"
I wasn't aware of that at all. Was that how it worked? I figured it was best to play along with Goslar here.
"I see. Is there a specific Labyrinth you want me to focus on?"
"As long as you enter, any of them is fine, basically. However, if you show the emblem we gave you, you will be treated as an associate of the Knight Order, and guidance to the highest floor currently being explored will be free of charge. A newly discovered Labyrinth would likely be more advantageous for you. Breakthrough rewards are also paid out to Knight Order associates. The first Labyrinth is Halver, the second is Tale, and the third is south of Bode."
"Understood."
There were parts I didn't quite grasp, but I nodded anyway. It wouldn't do for an "excellent adventurer" to be ignorant of the basics.
"Tale is the village where you transported relief supplies during the flood. I shall have an adventurer guide you to the Halver Labyrinth after this."
They were providing transport? That was a huge help.
"Thank you."
"Then I shall depart immediately. You should come with me. Wait in the lobby, Michio-dono."
The Duke stood up and left the room at once. He certainly was impatient. So, that room really had been the lobby after all.
"Excuse me, then."
I gave my regards to Goslar and headed back to the lobby. While I waited, the Duke arrived, accompanied by Cassia. She was dressed in elegant combat gear.
Cassia Nordbraun Anhalt, 29 years old. Wizard Lv 41. Equipment: Staff of Himorogi, Water Resistance Tiara, Fire Resistance Robe, Wind Resistance Armlongs, Earth Resistance Bit Loafers, Substitution Misanga.
A full set of resistances for all four elements: Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth. So this was the gear of the Duchess class. Wait, the Duchess fought as well?
"Does the Duchess enter the Labyrinth too?"
"It is a natural duty," she replied with a graceful nod.
A Duchess who took the lead in fighting for her people. She was beautiful.
"Now then, the four of us, including Michio-dono, will head to Halver first. Cassia and Klaus, get in as well," the Duke declared.
A party could hold up to six people, so since I was tagging along, the adventurer would have to make two trips. My apologies. Presumably, the people gathered here were the members of the Duke's personal party: a Paladin, a Knight, a Wizard, a Shrine Maiden, an Explorer, and an Adventurer. With a Wizard and even a Shrine Maiden for healing, it was a perfectly balanced party. The adventurer might just be there for transport, though.
As the adventurer formed the party, I made my own preparations.
"Well then, let's go."
As I finally joined the Duke’s party, the adventurer headed toward the wall. I took the opportunity.
Paladin Lv 14, Knight Lv 50, Warrior Lv 30, Villager Lv 6, Wizard Lv 1, Explorer Lv 1, Swordsman Lv 1, Forest Ranger Lv 1, Herbalist Lv 1.
I used Party Job Settings to peek at the Duke’s jobs. Since no one had ever noticed before, I figured he wouldn't be able to tell. From what I could see, his progression had likely been Warrior Lv 30, then Knight Lv 50, and finally Paladin Lv 14.
Forest Ranger seemed to be a job unique to the Elf race; I’d seen other elves with it too. The fact that he had Herbalist suggested he’d picked up a Leaf or something at some point. It was just like the impatient Duke to pick things up himself rather than letting his party members do it. I could practically see him frantically gathering items.
Following the adventurer, the Duke entered the passage that had appeared in the wall. Cassia went next. I was the last to enter.
By the way, the fact that I could use Party Job Settings meant I was also capable of changing the Duke’s jobs. I could swap them to something like Herbalist Lv 1.
Heh heh heh.
The Duke was about to enter the Labyrinth. He wouldn't be starting from the first floor; he’d likely go straight to the floors they usually hunted on. If his jobs were suddenly changed to Herbalist Lv 1 while the monsters on the upper floors were attacking, what would happen?
Heh heh heh. Cassia would finally be a widow.
No, I wouldn't actually do that.
I wouldn't.
I really wouldn't, okay?